BlackGirlsCODE launches in Las Vegas adding to the burgeoning startup and tech scene

Aug. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- BlackGirlsCODE hit the JACKPOT of a different sort with their plans for a computer programming workshop for girls in Las Vegas scheduled on August 11th, 2012 at the InNEVation Center. Las Vegas is the fifth stop of the Summer of CODE “7 cities in 90 days” national campaign held by the up and coming Bay Area nonprofit, BlackGirlsCODE. The organization’s mission is to educate girls of color, ages 7 to 17, in digital media and computer programming concepts as well as building lifelong skills in problem solving and abstract thinking.  

“It’s very important that we encourage the girls to develop confidence, leadership, and collaboration. I think that with those skills they would have the ability to take on a career in technology or anything else they choose.” – Kimberly Bryant, Founder of BlackGirlsCODE

In this one-day “Build A Webpage” workshop (register here:  http://bgclasvegas.eventbrite.com) girls will learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and basic web structure. They will use web-making tools such as Hackasaurus and Thimble to start their very own tech queendom. Over 200 girls have already experienced the sensation of this one-day workshop and have been inspired to learn more by registering for additional workshops being provided by BlackGirlsCODE.  

The city of Las Vegas is currently on a mission to create its own version of Silicon Valley and welcomes BlackGirlsCODE as part of its commitment in building a strong educational tech foundation in its community. This Saturday workshop is the first step in establishing an ongoing chapter of BlackGirlsCODE in Las Vegas and the organization has plans to expand its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs throughout the upcoming school year.  

Girls do not need prior skills in computer programming to attend the classes.  The classes are designed to encourage and motivate students to explore their interests while learning to build cool stuff.  The Build a Webpage in a Day class is part of a summer long “Summer of Code Campaign” which BlackGirlsCODE launched in June with a goal to teach computer programming to more than 300 kids from underrepresented communities in 90 days across more than seven cities.  The organization just completed a successful crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo as a part of the Summer of Code Campaign to support the workshops and provide much needed support for program needs such as laptops the students use during the classes.   They are still accepting donations on their website to support the ongoing program activities and expansion efforts.

Next stops on the organization’s summer campaign include Detroit, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and New York.  Follow their progress on Twitter or on their site: http://www.BlackGirlsCode.com

About InNEVation Center
The InNEVation Center is located at 6795 Edmond Street, Las Vegas, NV 89118. The center recently hosted “the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.  

About BlackGirlsCODE
Since 2011, BlackGirlsCODE has been committed to providing girls from underrepresented community’s access to technology and the 21st century skills necessary to become the tech leaders and creators of tomorrow. BlackGirlsCODE’s Summer of CODE campaign was created as vehicle to bridge the digital divide and change the face of tech in the United States. The campaign serves as an awareness program to future weeklong programs taking place in Chicago, Oakland, Detroit, and Atlanta in the fall.